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| Sunday, 19 January 2003 |
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Letters |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Please forward your letters to [email protected] in plain text format within the e-mail message, since as a policy we do not open any attachments.
Voice of people is voice of God As a senior citizen, I am aware of what went on, from the time of Independence. Now it is pointless to cry over spilt milk. We must forget the past. Accusing one another, will not help us, solve the problem. Our first chance to stop this war, was missed, and a great loss of life and property was caused for another year. War cannot bring peace and prosperity. It can only bring death and destruction. War has never been a solution. Here in our country, we are fighting with our own people, who were living peacefully. There was unity and they worked hard for the development, of the country, without any ill-feeling, hatred or jealousy. They did their best for gaining Independence. It is the greed for power that disrupted this unity. Some power-thirsty politicians are responsible for this situation. The innocent people of the country are made to suffer for two decades. Now the people have given the mandate to the present government to stop this war and bring peace. People hate war. Through their marches and 'Padayatras' from all over the country people have shown clearly that they love peace. The preachers of all faiths too have jointly conducted marches and 'Padayatras' from all corners of the country calling for peace and unity at their gatherings. So it is very clear that the wish of the people is peace and it is the bounden duty of the government to fulfil the wishes of the people. Voice of people is voice of God. The opposers of peace are trouble makers. They don't have any solution and are clever at disturbing the country through false rumours. They don't have any feeling for the dead, the amputated the orphans and widows and the endless sufferings of the people around them and the economy of the country. The moves and plans and the approach of the present government to bring peace is perfect. The problem is well handled by eminent men here and abroad who are well versed in the subject. Our peace process, is going to be a unique example to the war-torn countries of the world. P. S. Nayudu,, Hitting from behind is a very common accident on the highway. Although the driver who apparently caused the damage should be called upon to compensate the innocent vehicle owner, this never happens in Sri Lanka. The insurers of the vehicle at fault refuse to admit liability without a 'court award'. The insurers are fully aware that a 'court award' is something that will take years to come, with several postponements of court hearing and no sane man will be prepared to undergo that ordeal. Due to this 'deadlock' situation, the innocent vehicle owner is forced to claim under his own insurance, thereby prejudicing his hard earned 'No-Claim Bonus' or in absence of comprehensive cover, repair his vehicle at his own expenses. Insurance companies can live up to their extensive publicity of 'goodwill' with various phrases displaying their gentlemanliness and genuine concern for their clients by admitting liability when there is sufficient evidence to show that their client is at fault. Hitting a vehicle from behind, whether moving or stationary is sufficient evidence to prove that the driver at the back is at fault, unless the vehicle in front reverses and hits the vehicle at the back. The routine excuse is that the vehicle in front stopped suddenly giving the vehicle at the back no time to apply brakes. It is a fact that most of the drivers do want to keep the 'safety gap' in front because three-wheelers will invariably creep in. However this is not an excuse that can be technically or legally accepted. In the alternative, insurance companies can get together and enter into the historical 'knock for knock' agreement which existed prior the nationalization of insurance in 1963. This gentlemanly agreement simply meant 'you repair you client's vehicle and we will look after our client, irrespective of who is at fault'. Let the insurance companies who have increased the premia by as much as 23% for private cars and 85% for commercial vehicles and a further 0.3% from 08th January 2003 as a 'new year gift' bring back the 'knock for knock' agreement or honour their 'Third Party Claims' based on 'prima facie' evidence of the other driver's fault supported by the Police report. Anthony J. Perera, Upbringing of children - a response This is with reference to the valuable, interesting, and commendable letter under the heading, "Upbringing of children" by Mr. A. Abdul Aziz of Negombo, in your esteemed weekly journal of January 15 , I fully agree with the writer's point of view and wish to add the following humble opinion of mine, It's a well known fact, that the youths (or children), of today are so precious, that they are the future leaders, masters and national heroes of our country! They are definitely a major resource and a powerful force in our Motherland and of course, they should be well trained, guided properly and used in the economic and industrial development frontiers, and also, in the farming, or agriculture fields, for the best interest and prosperity of Sri Lanka. Today, it is observed, that they get really so weak and frustrated due to unemployment, not clicking the right jobs, and financial stress, followed up with strains, and difficulties within families, and so on! Most certainly, the full responsibility in upbringing of these unfortunate plight of youths, in the hands of the parents, guardians, elders, teachers and religious heads, or priests (of all faiths, in Sri Lanka). Above all, the State, should extend them all the facilities and employment, etc! It is encouraging to note, that the state Youth Training Centre and Labour Department had already moved on this vital matter, to provide necessary facilities in skill and vocational training courses on various trades computers. S. T. Arasu, It is understood, that though the Trincomalee Base Hospital has been upgraded recently, to a General Hospital, the services and standard of it remain the same as before, without essential facilities. There is no Judicial Medical Officer, ENT Surgeon, X-Ray - Radiologist, and in addition, vacancies of X-Ray technicians, medical-laboratory technicians and nurses have to be filled soon! Moreover, the body-cooling system at the mortuary of this hospital is not functional, for the last few years, and as a result, most of the bodies get damaged, before the postmortem could be performed, by the authorities. This system needs immediate attention for repair, or replacement. There are two ultra-sound scanners at this hospital idling without radiologist. Thus, the patients for scanning are normally transferred to Kandy or Colombo. If Radiologist is appointed here, transferring patients to long distances, etc. could be easily avoided indeed. There is also a lack of the vital pathology unit at this hospital and it got to be opened soon and all shortcomings attended for the patients by the state without any further delay! This important hospital serves patients not only from Trinco town and the suburban areas but also poor patients from far-off areas, such as Seruwila and Mutur electorates, as well . Many of the serious-condition patients are undergoing immense hardships and this should be promptly rectified, as it is a worthy cause and humanitarian act to do so, of course. S. T. Arasu, It is very much heartening to observe, through newspapers that the star-Batsman Sir Donald Bradman from Australia, and the little ace-wizard, young off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan (Murali) from Sri Lanka have been named as the best ever batsman and bowler, respectively, (in Tests), by the internationally recognised, famous or reputed Bible of Cricket Magazine - 'Wisden', considering the following factors of importance, whilst choosing the well deserved cricketers of the world today: 'Wisden' magazine, went on the basis, analysing the performance of every selected few, of great cricket players of all playing nations and assessed it against factors, like the strength of opposition, career length and importance of each performance to the outcome of an innings, or match played, or contributed, and most of all, it is reckoned, that the best way of summarising Wisden's intent is to clearly identify the players, who have been of most value to bring credibility, to their (country's) sides (according to London, Reuter's flash report)!" Undoubtedly, it's a fitting gesture and tribute to the (late) Sir Donald Bradman, and Muttiah Muralitharan (Murali) - Well Done, 'Wisden', for the right choices! Incidentally, we should be very proud and happy, that our own countryman (cricketer), Murali, who ranks amongst the best in the game, especially in the spinning department, with the credit of his tally of 437 Test scalps, just behind the popular wizard leg-spinner Shane Warne of Australia! - Heartiest Congrads! and keep it up, Murali! - Good Luck ahead! S. T. Arasu., Physiotherapy at the Lady Ridgeway - a response Mr. K. Weerawansa in his letter on the above subject on November 24, has mentioned that physiotherapists are not visiting the Intensive Care Unit of Lady Ridgeway hospital. I think that he has got some false information for somebody. I can assure that the physiotherapists attached to the LRH are giving treatments in the Intensive Care Unit. We do our treatments in premature baby unit, burns unit, surgical wards and medical wards. As we are committed to save the lives of patients, we are always on call and ready for any emergency. When patients are referred to physiotherapists they get records of the patients and decide the treatment. I thank Mr. Weerawansa for describing the service which was given as an effective treatment and I also thank him for mentioning our service as an essential service. Jaliya Uduwella, Chief Physiotherapist, One of the reasons given for having private zoos is - to promote tourism. Is it likely that a foreigner with a large, attractive zoo back home will waste his time peering through the rusty bars of small enclosures, incarcerating pathetic, ill-nourished creatures? Let us not forget our last private zoo. It was accused of neglecting, starving and, literally, doping its inmates. VIPs were borrowing the sedated animals, we heard, to show them off - Roman style - at their parties. Inspite of mounting protests, their backing kept the zoo going, until a lion fatally mauled a boy. Even then, it closed only after a fight. The majority here are Buddhists and locking up living beings goes against that religion. While many countries are beginning to treat their animals better, why is our administration going all out to inflict more cruelty on ours? It was recently mooted in Parliament to import cattle, while ours is mercilessly slaughtered, especially for export. Cattle, goats, fowl, rabbits, pigs, etc. are being distributed to rear for slaughter. Not only are the norms of the majority religion being violated, but also its followers are temptingly compelled to do so. When a starry-eyed deputation went to meet those responsible for revoking the law against slaughtering pregnant cows, calves and buffaloes, it was told that there was no money to look after old cows and bulls. (This, while the begging bowl was frenziedly being passed around for sustaining the man-eaters)! It was pointed out that after the cows were drained of their milk and the bulls were bruised beyond repair and broken, was it not better to dump them in a slaughter house and get some money? Besides, they walk aimlessly up and down roads, impeding the dash of VIPs from one point to another. What else was there to do except kill the lot? (and they say the Buddha kept gazing at the Bodhi Tree that sheltered Him, not only to show gratitude, but also to instill that noble quality in his followers)! The deputation was given no chance to state that the wish of the citizens was to grant pension rights (in this case, a patch of grass and clean water) to those who had been drained mentally and physically to serve them day and night and not, repeat, not to what appears for only a five-year stint of mostly self-servicing, to vanish thereafter. It is rumoured that the private zoo suggestion was more a feeler to know the reaction. Hordes of business-minded Sri Lankans go to Thailand, which is dotted with animal amusement parks, inflicting torture. For instance, a tiger and dog are caged together. The dog is beside himself in sheer fright and keeps nervously snapping at the tiger, who soon tears him to pieces, while another is put into the cage. A fat sow, after littering, is exposed to suckle puppies and tiger cubs, whose claws tear into her flesh, while her own brood hardly gets a chance to reach a teat. She and her piglets are doomed to be devoured soon, anyway. Animals are made to run through fire, drop from dizzy heights, drowned in water, elephants are balanced precariously on impossibly fragile gadgets, etc. An admirable group of Sri Lankans had protested against the rank cruelty displayed, both to the Thai authorities and some of the embassies, before leaving. It behoves us to be vigilant, as there was already a TV suggestion to start a crocodile farm here, like in Thailand. Several animal lovers are waiting belligerently for the next election. True, it will be changing one pathetically ineffectual bunch for another. But they say the very foundation of which it was hoped to fashion a better deal for our animals is being shattered by the "bull in a China shop" antics of some people. Prema Ranawaka-Das, Politics in Universities - a response Ranjith C. Dissanayake of Battaramulla suggests through your esteemed columns, that politics should be banned in universities. Is this possible? Never in the history of universities - local or abroad - politics could be suppressed. Politics is the life-blood of universities, where intellectualism and higher academics reign. It has been so over centuries - here and abroad. To ban politics, you must first ban both Capitalism and Socialism? Can you do it? But you can remedy the tragic situation by studying where the mistake lies. Universities in Sri Lanka today have become cultural deserts, minus research work carried on during by-gone era, due to deteriorating standards of the Degree courses, adding insult to injury to the very word - "University". Let the students engage in political research work to attain higher intellectual standards, Peradeniya university was maintaining in 1950s and 1960s - its golden era. For this you need intellectual Dons of yesteryear instead of raw stuff passing out today. Employ some GOM, who today enjoy the emeritus professorships, to each department, as consultants to undo and reform the present vulgar system to its past grandeur. The reader Ranjith C. Dissanayaka seems to be unaware of what a university set up should be! Politics cannot be erased from universities in this "Kalpa" but can be undone and reformed even belatedly, to the era of its founder - Sir Ivor Jennings, if proper channels are used. "Vidya Dadati Vinayam," if only deteriorating standards are reformed to quality education of the yore. Otherwise, late Minister Iriyagolla would have done this much earlier. Kasturiarachchi Warnakulasuriya, |
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